Underground sensation

It's a rare treat to load up the first level of an iOS game and not be sure what's going to happen next. Usually you can tell within a matter of seconds exactly what sort of game you're about to play and exactly how many cartoon zombies it's going to contain.

Micro Miners is different. It's a cross between Lemmings and Where's My Water? that adds new challenges as you play, always keeping you on your toes. It's fun, and perhaps more importantly, it's unique.

Mine, all mine

The game is all about sending tiny miners underground to dig up deposits of precious metal. The titular miners have minds of their own, and you have two options - dig them tunnels, or build them walls.

To begin with, things are simple. You draw lines in the ground to guide your hyperactive, equipping charges to chunks of silver and gold. The screen moves down slowly, and you need to cut out a certain amount of each deposit to complete the level. Miners who get left behind are lost for good.

Slowly but surely the game adds new layers of challenge. Different coloured miners who'll die if they go into the wrong deposit, bombs that blow up neon green gas pockets, and precious jewels that multiply your score all start to creep into the simple setup.

The gradual increase in danger and complexity make for an entertaining experience. You're learning as you go, and when you fail you work out new strategies and new ways of making sure your men get out of the mine alive you learn the hard way.

There's plenty of content, too, with three different zones each with 15 different levels for you to try and perfect.

Micro Miners isn't a walk in the park, but it's an intriguing and engaging game that's unlike anything else out there. For that alone it should be championed, but the fact that it's hugely entertaining as well makes it a must buy.